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United Arab Emirates Leader Dies
Sheik Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi, the emir of Ras al-Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates, has died, officials said.
He died Wednesday at the age of 92. At the time of his death, al-Qassimi was the world’s longest-serving ruler, Gulf News reported.
Al-Qassimi led the gulf emirate of Ras al-Khaimah for 62 years. He took control of the territory in 1948 when he overthrew his uncle and father-in-law in a bloodless coup, the report said.
The sheik played a key role in advancing the emirate, and his greatest achievement might have been his commitment to education, the report said. By 1960 he established 10 schools and started an industrial training center in 1969 that has about 6,000 students.
He was also credited with developing the territory’s economy and advancing and improving its medical services.
His successor is one of al-Qassimi’s sons, Sheik Saud Bin Saqr al-Qasimi, whose appointment is being challenged by the deceased ruler’s oldest son, The Guardian reported.
The British newspaper said immediately after the sheik died, Sheik Khalid bin Saqr al-Qasimi went to the presidential palace in a bid to reclaim what he believes is his birthright from his younger half-brother.
The eldest son has been living in exile, the report said.
Ras al-Khaimah is the smallest of the seven emirates. The government announced 40 days of mourning, during which flags in the emirate will be flown at half staff and radio stations across the UAE switched to playing recitations of the Koran and classical music.